OCALA, FL (352today.com) – A 22-year-old man was arrested after deputies say he engaged in sexual acts with a 13-year-old girl and exchanged explicit messages with multiple underage girls.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) arrested Jaquese Sankey on March 22, 2025, following an investigation that began on January 2, when authorities responded to a report from a grandmother who found Sankey in bed with her underage granddaughter. Sankey reportedly fled the scene.

Detectives determined that Sankey entered the residence the previous night and engaged in sexual activity with the 13-year-old girl. A forensic interview with the victim revealed that she and Sankey had sexual contact twice that night. The victim said she met Sankey through a mutual friend, had been in contact for about a month via text messages and calls, and that Sankey knew she was 13 years old.

Investigators uncovered a Snapchat message thread where Sankey, claiming to live in Tampa, asked to stay the night and received sexually explicit images and videos from the victim. On February 12, a search warrant revealed text messages between Sankey and 11 other females, all under 18, who disclosed their ages to him. Sankey reportedly expressed indifference to their ages and received explicit images and videos from them as well.

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Along with the text messages, detectives say that Sankey also received sexually explicit images and videos from the 11 underage victims.

After a failed attempt to contact Sankey, MCSO obtained an arrest warrant. The Tampa Police Department located and arrested him, and he was transported to Marion County Jail. During an interview, Sankey admitted to having sexual intercourse with the 13-year-old victim.

Sankey faces charges of Lewd or Lascivious Battery on a Victim between 12 and 16 Years of Age, Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device to Facilitate a Felony, and four counts of Possession of Child Pornography. As of April 19, he is out of jail on a $23,500 bond, with a court date scheduled for May 20.

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